Push button faucet



United States Patent C) 3,348,577 PUSH BUTTON FAUCET Richard P. Miller, 7222 Shannon Road, and Berton G. Miller, 2010 Eastern Ave., both of Verona, Pa. 15147 Filed Dec. 2, 1965, Ser. No. 511,170 Claims. (Cl. 137-637.1)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A push button water faucet including a hot, cold, warm and off push button members for controlling ow of water from a cold and hot Water supply lines to a discharge spigot. The hot and cold water push button members each have a cam integral therewith for opening the corresponding valves and the warm water push button member has a pair of cams, one of which is adjustable in relation to the other for opening and closing the valves to provide warm water and the olf push button member is associated with a return mechanism for returning all of the other push buttons to an inoperative position when depressed.

The present invention generally relates to a water faucet for use in combination with a sink, basin or the like and more particularly relates to such a faucet having push button controls including a push button for controlling the hot water inlet valve, a push button for controlling the cold water inlet valve, a push button for controlling both the hot and cold water inlet valves for providing discharge of warm water and a separate push button for closing both the hot water and cold water inlet valves and returning the other push buttons to their normal positions.

An object of the present invention is to provide a faucet including a hot Water inlet valve and a cold water inlet valve together with push button members separately controlling the valves with each push button member having a cam surface thereon engaged with a valve stem whereby longitudinal reciprocation of the push buttons will serve to open the valves or permit closure of the valves due to water pressure in the line.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a faucet having a push button to move the hot water control push button member and the cold water control push button member to a retracted or inoperative position thus enabling the valves to close.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a push button faucet including a warm water or temperate water push button which partiallyopens thehot water inlet valve and cold Water inlet valve together with an adjustment means incorporated therein for enabling the temperature of the mixed water discharged from the faucet to be adjusted and retained in the adjusted position so that each time the warm water push button is depressed, the discharged water will be the same temperature.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a water faucet in accordance with the preceding objects which is simple in construction, easy to install, relatively inexpensive and effective for its particular purposes.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the faucet of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional View, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially upon the plane passing along section line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the structural details of the warm water push button showing the adjustment mechanism incorporated therein;

VFIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3--3 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the construction of the hot Water push button and cold water push button and the relationship thereof to the respective inlet valves;

FIGURE 4 is a plan sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 4-4 of FIGURE 3 illustrating further structural details of the invention including the orientation of the push buttons and inlet valves; and

FIGURE 5 is a transverse, sectional View taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 5-5 of FIGURE 2 illustrating further structural details of the push button mechanism including the means for returning the push buttons to their inoperative positions.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the faucet of the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and includes a hollow body or casing 12 having a hot water inlet adapter 14 at one end thereof having a hot water inlet line 16 connected thereto by a suitable fitting 18 of conventional construction. The other end of the body 12 includes a cold water inlet adapter 20 having a cold water supply line 22 connected thereto by a suitable fitting 24 which also is of conventional construction. By this arrangement, the hot water is supplied to one end of the body 12 and cold water is supplied to the other end of the body 12 and while the adapters and fitting are arranged so that water ow is inwardly toward the ends of the body, it is pointed out that the adapters could be L-shaped or any other suitable configuration toenable easy installation of the faucet 10 which will normally be disposed in a sink so that the top Wall of the body is disposed upwardly or disposed in any other position for easy access by a person using a sink, basin or the like.

Movably disposed within the body 12 and projecting upwardly through corresponding openings therein is a plurality of push buttons including a hot water push button 26, a cold water push button 28, a warm water push button 30 and an off push button 32 which are orientated in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1 with each of the push buttons having indicia 34 incorporated on the upper end thereof for describing the particular push button.

The hot water push button 26 is slidably received in a vertical guide passage 36 and includes an outwardly and upwardly inclined cam surface 38 on one side edge thereof which faces the adapter 14. The cold water push button 28 is slidably disposed within a vertical guide passage 40 and includes a laterally and upwardly inclined cam surface 42 facing the adapter 20.

Associated with the hot water push button 26 is a hot water inlet valve 44 associated with a valve seat 46 incorporated into the adapter 14 for selectively closing and opening an inlet opening 48. The valve 44 includes a valve stem 50 extending inwardly through a guide opening 52 in the end wall of the body. A seal member 54 encircles the valve stem 52 and a packing nut 66 retains the seal member 54 in compressed relation for sealing the valve stem 50 but yet enabling reciprocation thereof. The innerV end of the valve stem 50 is provided with a transversely extending rod 58 which is offset to one side of the valve stem 50 and is elongated for extension through a slot 60 in a partition wall 62 which forms one wall of the vertical passage 36. The other wall of the vertical passage 36 is dened by a partition wall 64. The edge of the push button 26 opposite from the cam surface 38 engages a partition wall 66 which forms the other wall of the vertical guide passage 36. A similar partition wall 68 forms one 3 wall of the vertical passage `40 thus serving as the guide for the push button 28.

The cold water adapter 20 is provided with a cold water inlet valve 66 engageable with a valve seat 68 for selectively opening and closing an opening 70. The valve 66 includes a valve stem 72 extending therefrom which extends through an opening 74 and receives a sealing member 76 which is held in sealing relation by a packing nut 7.8. The inner end of the stem 72 is provided with a transverse rod 80 similar to the rod 58 with both of the rods being cylindrical for engagement with the respective cam surfaces. The rod 80 also extends through a slot 82 in the partition wall 62 as illustrated in FIGURE 4 and it is pointed out that the valve structures are substantially similar and each adapter has a discharge tube 84 connected with a discharge spigot assembly 86 in a conventional manner.

The warm water push button 30 is received within a vertical guide passage 88 and the edge of the push button 30 which faces the hot water adapter 14 is provided with a cam surface 90 thereon which is upwardly and outwardly inclined or engaging a follower or actuating rod 92 that is fixed to the transverse rod 58 on the valve stem 50. Thus, by depressing the warm water push button 30, the valve 44 will also be opened. The opposite edge of the warm water push button 30 is provided with a recess or notch 94 therein which slidably receives an adjustable member 96 having a cam surface 98 thereon disposed in opposed relation to the cam surface 90 for engaging and actuating a follower or operating member 100 fixed to and rigid with the transverse rod 80 so that upon depression of the member l96 along with the warm water push button 30, the cold water inlet valve 66 will also be operated.

The adjustable member 96 includes an internally threaded bore 102 extending therethrough which receives an externally threaded rod 104. The upper end of the threaded rod 104 is provided with a knurled knob 106 that is received within a slot 108 in the upper end portion of the push button 30 above the recess 94. The upper end of the threaded rod 104 also extends through an unthreaded bore 110 so that the threaded rod 104 is rotatable in relation to the push button 30 and is held captive in relation thereto by the knob 106 being received in the slot or recess 108. The periphery of the knob 106 projects beyond the side walls of the push button 30 thus enabling rotation of the threaded rod or screw 104 thereby adjusting the position of the member 96 and also adjusting the relation of the carn 98 to the cam follower 100. This enables the relationship of the cams 90 and 98 to be varied thereby varying the degree of opening of the valves 44 and 66 thereby varying the temperature of the mixed Water discharged from the discharge spigot. Moreover, this adjustment enables the same temperature of warm water to be obtained at any time merely by depressing the warm push button 30.

The olf push button 32 is engaged with a plate 112 which underlies the push button 32 and extends substantially throughout the length of the body 12. The edge of the plate 112 facing the push buttons 26 and 28 is provided with a longitudinal groove 114 which receives the offset end 116 of a pair of crossed arms 118 and 120. The point of intersection of the arms 118 and 120 is stationarily supported by a pivot pin or bolt 122 which extends into and is supported by a depending centrally disposed relatively narrow lug 124 orientated at the center of the partition wall 64 which terminates in spaced relation above the bottom of the body 12. Each of the arms 118 and 120 includes an offset end 126 which extends into a longitudinal groove 128 in an elevating plate 130 which extends substantially throughout the length of the body 12 and which underlies and engages each of the push buttons 26, 28 and 30 as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 5. Movement of the plate 130 is permitted inasmuch as the partition walls all terminate above the bottom of the body 12 so that as any one or all of the push buttons 26, 28 and 30 is depressed, the plate 130 will be moved downwardly thus causing the plate 112 to be moved upwardly thereby elevating the push button 32. When this occurs, the valves 44 and 66 will be opened as determined by the particular push button or push buttons depressed. Then when it is desired to close both of the valves, the olf push button 32 is depressed. This will move the'plate 112 down thus causing upward movement of the plate thereby elevating all of the push buttons 26, 28 and 30.

With the present invention installed, the 0H push button 32 is normally depressed thus allowing the valves 44 and 66 to close in a conventional manner. If hot water is desired, the push button 26 is depressed which will open the hot water inlet valve 44. If cold water is desired, the push button 28 is depressed thus opening the cold water inlet valve 66. If a mixture of hot and cold water is desired, it is only necessary to depress the warm push button 30 thus partially opening both of the inlet valves 44 and `66. The relative degree of opening of the inlet valves 44 and 66 may be adjusted by operating the control knob 106 in an obvious manner. Once the temperature of the water discharged is properly adjusted, it should be no longer necessary to adjust the knob 106. If it is desired to obtain a temperature either slightly hotter or slightly colder than the warm water temperature for only a short time or for one particular use, the warm button still could be depressed and when it is decided that a hotter water temperature is desired, the hot water button still could be depressed whichI would open the hot water valve 44 to a greater degree and the same procedure could be used if cooler water is desired for a relatively short period of time.

The specific installational details and the details of the valves and the manner of replacement and repair thereof have not been specifically disclosed inasmuch as such details may be varied as may be deemed appropriate for individual installations.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A faucet construction for use in discharging hot and cold water or a mixture thereof from a spigot comprising a body having an adapter for connection with a hot water supply line and an adapter for connection with a cold water supply line, a hot Water inlet valve, associated with the adapter for controlling flow of hot water, a cold water inlet valve, associated with the adapter for controlling flow of cold water, each of said valves having a stem connected thereto, a push button member engaged with the hot water inlet valve stem, a push button member engaged with the cold water valve inlet stem, each push button member including a cam for moving the stems upon inward movement of the push button members, and means returning the push button members to an inoperative position, each cam and push button member being of one-piece construction with the cam being a longitudinal inclined surface on the push button member.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 together with a warm water push button member, said warm water push button member including a pair of cams engaged with the hot water inlet valve stem and cold water inlet valve stem respectively independently of the hot and cold water push button members for opening both of the valves independently of the cam means operated by the hot and cold Water push button members, and means independently adjusting one of the cams on the warm push button member in relation to the other for varying the degree of opening movement of the valves when they are opened for adjusting the ratio of hot and cold water and enabling the same ratio of hot and cold Water to be obtained each time the warm Water push button member is depressed.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for returning the push button members to inoperative position includes a plate underlying and engaging the lower ends of the push button members, a pair of crossed arms having end portions engaged with said plate, said crossed arms being pivotally supported from said body, the other ends of the crossed arms being operable to elevate and lower said plate.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein the other ends of said arms are offset, a plate engaging the offset arms, and an off push button member engaged with said last-mentioned plate for forcing the same downwardly when the push button member is depressed thereby pivoting the arms for elevating the push button member which control the inlet valves.

5. The structure defined in claim 4 wherein each of said push button members includes a flat upper end provided with indicia thereon, said button members being orientated in a spaced relation to enable access thereto without accidental depression of more than one button member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS CLARENCE R. GORDON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FAUCET CONSTRUCTION FOR USE IN DISCHARGING HOT AND COLD WATER OR A MIXTURE THEREOF FROM A SPIGOT COMPRISING A BODY HAVING AN ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION WITH A HOT WATER SUPPLY LINE AND A ADAPTER FOR CONNECTION WITH A COLD WATER SUPPLY LINE, A HOT WATER INLET VALVE, ASSOCIATED WITH THE ADAPTER FOR CONTROLLING FLOW OF HOT WATER, A COLD WATER INLET VALVE, ASSOCIATED WITH THE ADAPTER FOR CONTROLLING FLOW OF COLD WATER, EACH OF SAID VALVES HAVING A STEM CONNECTED THERETO, A PUSH BUTTON MEMBER ENGAGED WITH THE HOT WATER INELT VALVE STEM, A PUSH BUTTON MEMBER ENGAGED WITH THE COLD WATER VALVE INLET STEM, EACH PUSH BUTTON MEMBER INCLUDING A CAM FOR MOVING THE STEMS UPON INWARD MOVEMENT OF THE PUSH BUTTON MEMBERS, AND MEANS RETURNING THE PUSH BUTTON MEMBERS TO AN INOPERATIVE POSITION, EACH CAM AND PUSH BUTTON MEMBER BEING OF ONE-PIECE CONSTRUCTION WITH THE CAM BEING A LONGITUDINAL INCLINED SURFACE ON THE PUSH BUTTON MEMBER. 